SEVEN DAYS

MIKE MULVIHILL’S guide to the week’s TV

SUNDAY

Ireland’s Fittest Family 6.30PM, RTé ONE ★★★

It’s the final heat, and the last batch of four families are faced with challenges including the Bog Bath. It sees them hanging on to a log for as long as possible – and when they let go, they’ll drop down into a plunge pool full of mud.

The Trump Show: The Downfall

9PM, BBC2 ★★★★

As the curtain comes down on one of the most controversial presidencies in American history, friends, advisers and close observers tell the story of Donald Trump’s incident-packed last days in office.

Finding Alice ★★★★ 9PM, UTV Episode two of this darkly comic drama takes a turn for the rather silly as Alice (Keeley Hawes) arranges an unconventional funeral for her beloved Harry. Meanwhile, the police look into the circumstances surrounding Harry’s fall – was it really an accident?

Quiz 9.30PM, RTé ONE ★★★

The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? cheating scandal comes under the microscope in this entertaining threepart drama. Matthew Macfadyen stars as Charles Ingram, who was in the hot seat opposite Chris Tarrant (Michael Sheen).

Teach na Céibhe 10.30PM, TG4 ★★★

The series showcasing traditional and folk performers continues with a chance to see Celtus, who have been described as a Celtic ambient group, recorded live at The Quays pub in Galway. It should be a gig to remember.

MONDAY

Lightning

6.30PM, BBC2 ★★★★

This fast and frantic new daily quiz show combines quick-fire questions with physical trials. Six challengers battle it out across six adrenaline-pumping rounds while a ruthless spotlight patrols the studio, eliminating contestants – stay out of the light and win the game. Comedian Zoe Lyons is your host.

An Saol Beo 7.30PM, TG4 ★★★

Cameras visit Bull Island, a sanctuary on the north side of Dublin Bay. It’s the perfect destination for birdwatchers as hundreds of red ducks, partridges, waders and geese can be seen, making for some spectacular wildlife footage.

Long Lost Family 9PM, UTV ★★★★

Hankies at the ready as Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell set about reuniting a woman with the daughter she was forced to give up for adoption 50 years ago. Meanwhile, a nurse finds news about her long lost brother in a most surprising place.

Katie Price: Harvey And Me 11.15PM, BBC1 ★★★★

The media personality’s eldest son was born with complex needs and, as he reaches the age of 18, his fiercely protective mum has to make important decisions about his future. This deeply personal new film follows Katie and Harvey as they face uncertain times.

TUESDAY

Secret Safari: Into The Wild 8PM, CH4 ★★★★

This new series takes viewers on a journey into the lives of an incredible cast of 13,000 wild animals – and the dedicated rangers who keep them safe. Cameras follow life at Ol Pejeta, a vast conservancy in Kenya that offers protection to a wide range of species, from huge elephants to tiny cocktail ants.

Marcella 9PM, UTV ★★★★

Anna Friel returns for a third series of the critically acclaimed crime drama, which kicks off with an explosive double bill. This time, a blonde-haired Marcella is working as an undercover detective infiltrating a crime family in Belfast.

Celebrity Best Home Cook

9PM, BBC1 ★★★

Judges Angela Hartnett, Chris Bavin and Mary Berry, with host Claudia Winkleman, are back in the kitchen for the first celebrity edition of the wholesome cookery challenge. Boris Johnson’s journalist sister, Rachel, and ex-politician Ed Balls lead the famous line-up.

Glór Tíre 9.30PM, TG4 ★★★

Aoife Ni Thuairisg presents as Michael English performs his favourite songs with contestant John Molloy. That should definitely be enough to impress the judges John Creedon, Caitríona Ní Shúilleabháin and Jó Ní Chéide.

The Terror

9.35PM, RTé2 ★★★

The latest double bill begins as Captain Crozier gives the order to abandon both ships – but a small group of men are left behind. In the second episode, paranoia grows in the wake of a series of mystery deaths, leading to talk of a mutiny.

First Dates

10PM, CH4 ★★★★

Ian is just 37, but has already been divorced twice. Will it be third time lucky after his date with Amy? Meanwhile, neuroscientist Gerald, 62, is seeking the formula for love.

Secret Bridesmaids’ Business

10.15PM, RTé ONE ★★★

Olivia has received a life-threatening

diagnosis, but Melanie also fears for their friendship. It seems the only way to save it is to find proof of Jakob’s misdeeds. Meanwhile, Saskia meets a former lover.

WEDNESDAY

The Repair Shop 8PM, BBC1 ★★★★★

In a new episode of this enchanting

series, leather expert Suzie Fletcher turns her attention to a decorative keepsake box with a poignant history, while her brother, Steve, teams up with Dominic Chinea to bring a vintage toy speedboat back to life.

Grand Designs 9PM, CH4 HHHH Energy conservationist Andrew is staking his savings and his professional

reputation on a radical, self-heating home – but his initial design is deemed unsafe by his structural engineer. Kevin McCloud follows the progress of a build that stretches the budget and tests the patience of Andrew’s wife, Margretta.

Vikings

9.20PM, RTé2 HHHH

We’re nearing the end of the sixth and final season of the drama – although the good news for fans is that a sequel series Vikings: Valhalla is reportedly in the works. There’s also plenty of action still to come in the last four episodes, as this double bill kicks off with King Alfred of Wessex hearing about the arrival of the sons of Ragnar with an army.

Jack the Ripper – The Case Reopened 11.10PM, RTé2 HHH

It’s one of the most famous unsolved cases in history – and now Silent Witness star Emilia Fox is taking another look at it. Drawing on new technology, she tries to solve the mystery of Jack the Ripper.

THURSDAY

How To Be Good With Money 8.30PM, RTé ONE HHH

These are uncertain times and a lot of people are worrying about their financial future – and present, for that matter. Luckily, Eoin McGee is here to help people carry out an audit and reach their money goals.

Death In Paradise

9PM, BBC1 HHHH

Neville finds himself in hospital after a run-in with a rogue sandfly, and is shocked when one of the nurses takes her own life at work. He risks his health to investigate, while Marlon helps J.P. to cope with his newborn twins.

Clear History 9.40PM, RTé2 HHH

Comedians Gearóid Farrelly and Sinéad Quinlan join host Kevin McGahern and team captains Joanne McNally and Colin Murphy for the latest episode. Let’s hope they’re ready to share some of their most mortifying stories.

RTé Sport Awards 2020 10.15PM, RTé ONE HHH

Last year brought new challenges both on and off the field, but there were still plenty of sporting achievements to celebrate. Joanne Cantwell and Darragh Maloney present the show that shines a light on Irish sports stars.

FRIDAY

Jamie And Jimmy’s Friday Night

Feast 8PM, CH4 HHH

In something of a coup for the show, Jimmy Doherty and Jamie Oliver are joined in their Southend cafe by Hollywood great Susan Sarandon for this new episode, filmed in 2019. The boys also make sparkling wine – and are keen to enjoy the fruits of their labours...

The Green Room With Ivan Yates 9PM, VIRGIN ONE HHH

The host is joined by impressionist and TV presenter Conor Moore and sport broadcaster Niamh Kinsella for a look at the news, issues and some of the lighter stories from the world of sport.

The Investigation 10PM, BBC2 HHHH

The Scandi true-crime drama continues with hundreds of volunteers searching for the missing journalist Kim Wall. Then, Copenhagen detective Jens Moller calls on the Swedish police to use their cadaver dogs – will they help him to crack the case?

Give My Head Peace 10.45PM, BBC1 HHH

Uncle Andy is kidnapped, which is of course bad news. But are his abductors being a bit overambitious when they issue a ransom demand for a hundred grand. Even his nearest and dearest wonder if he’s really worth that much?

The Graham Norton Show

11.15PM, BBC1 HHHH

In another busy show, Graham is joined by actors Sam Neill, Billie Piper and James Nesbitt, and singing legend Tom Jones.

SATURDAY

Joanna Lumley’s Fabulous World Tour

6.20PM, RTé2 HHH

Although her acting credits range from The New Avengers to The Wolf Of Wall Street, Joanna Lumley has carved out a second career as a TV globetrotter. This show sees her heading off on her travels.

Enslaved With Samuel L Jackson

8.30PM, RTé2 HHHHH

In this second episode, journalist Afua Hirsch visits Brazil to learn how the demand for sugar drove the explosion in slavery. Meanwhile, Jackson finds out about the increasingly inventive ways in which owners managed to turn their losses into profits when trafficked Africans were lost at sea.

Love/Hate

10.40PM, RTé ONE HHHH

Nidge may have almost lost everything in a sting operation, but he’s still risking a trip to Spain to negotiate over a drugs shipment. Meanwhile, Patrick has returned to Dublin.

Roots: The Next Generation

11.30PM, RTé2 HHHH

Simon has some ideas for how to improve farming practices in Alabama – and as it’s the Great Depression, the land owners should need all the help they can get.